"What terrifying talent."
Watching the two of them replicate her operations almost one-to-one, with movements that showed no trace of unfamiliarity, Kotetsu Isane observed silently from the side, sighing inwardly.
"Very good. Just maintain this rhythm and state. Now, let's finish the rest together," she said, nodding as she let go of her last bit of worry.
The cultivation room was so quiet that even the air seemed to stagnate, and the flow of light and shadow appeared exceptionally slow. Under Isane's lead, the three of them meticulously repeated the steps of planting and covering.
Finally, the last cluster of mycelium was securely placed. The culture beds were now evenly dotted with fluorescent white spots; though inconspicuous, they carried Suō Tsukasa's subsequent expectations.
Isane packed her things and looked at Tsukasa and Toshiro beside her, her eyes full of admiration. "Perfect. To achieve this level of completion on your first attempt is remarkable."
"The upcoming incubation period is the most critical stage. The requirements for environmental stability will be even higher, especially the humidity, which must be maintained within a very narrow range. It also needs to be kept away from light. Are you clear on all the detailed conditions?"
"No problem. Toshiro, I'll need your help adjusting the humidity," Tsukasa said, cracking his knuckles with a subtle, crisp sound. He knew very well that successful inoculation was only the first step; the long cultivation period that followed would be the true test.
"Understood."
As the two manipulated their spiritual pressure, the light in the room quickly dimmed, and the humidity in the air surged. The three of them exited the cultivation room one by one. Tsukasa was the last to leave, raising his hand to activate the Kido runes on the door to ensure the internal environment remained as stable as possible.
Outside, Rangiku Matsumoto had timed their exit perfectly and approached them carrying a tray.
"Finished? Perfect. It's still warm, so you can drink it right away." She handed the tea to each of them with a beaming smile, her eyes darting to Isane's face. "How was it, Isane? Everything went smoothly, right? From your expression, I'd guess there were no issues."
"Thank you." Isane took the warm teacup and took a sip, the refreshing and sweet taste instantly soothing her dry throat. She glanced at the closed door of the cultivation room and said easily, "It went very smoothly. Now, it just depends on whether the vitality of these little guys is compatible with the growth environment we've provided."
"There won't be any problems!" Rangiku patted her chest, brimming with confidence as if success were already a foregone conclusion.
Tsukasa finished his tea and looked at Isane. "Isane-san, thank you for making the trip today and for guiding us for so long. It's getting late; why don't you stay the night? It's a good chance to relax here. Consider it a small token of my gratitude."
"There's no need for that... I wouldn't want to impose. Besides, the division might—" Isane was startled and instinctively moved to decline.
"—Isane, don't leave!" Rangiku stepped in, affectionately hooking her arm. "There isn't that much work to do at this hour, and Captain Unohana is there anyway! I'm telling you, Tsukasa's cooking is exceptional, and he's prepared a lot of great ingredients. You don't usually get a chance to eat like this; today you can share in the spoils! Plus, there's plenty of beautiful scenery here, the hot springs are great for the skin, and you can even see the 'starry sky' Tsukasa created while we eat. It's really interesting—"
Though Toshiro didn't speak, he looked at Isane and gave a slight nod with his arms crossed, his attitude echoing the invitation.
Looking at the three of them, Isane found the words of refusal suddenly difficult to voice. She remembered Captain Unohana's smiling instructions before she left, and then looked at this secret base full of vitality. Curiosity and a sudden desire to relax took over.
"...Then, I'll be imposing on you." She finally nodded, a shy smile appearing on her face.
"That's the spirit!" Rangiku clapped her hands happily.
Tsukasa waved his hand and looked at Rangiku with a smile. "Then, Rangiku, take Isane-san for a stroll. We'll be ready here shortly."
"Don't worry, leave it to me!" Rangiku nodded and pulled Isane toward the flower beds. "Come, come, Isane, let me tell you, these flowers were all meticulously planted by me—"
Tsukasa watched them walk toward the garden before turning to the kitchen. Toshiro followed him quietly. Tsukasa thought about Isane's usual dining habits and, after a moment's reflection, came up with a plan. Turning his thoughts to the ingredients, the corners of his mouth turned up.
Since a certain day when he had Toshiro try using Hyorinmaru to flash-freeze ingredients to lock in their freshness, the management of food at the base had undergone a revolutionary change. This technique not only preserved the flavor and texture of the ingredients to the maximum extent but also resulted in minimal loss of flavor after rapid thawing. This allowed the base to store an incredibly rich variety and quantity of ingredients, no longer limited by the seasons.
Everything was based on the rational development and utilization of their abilities. After a simple division of labor, the two of them quickly and wordlessly began working in the kitchen.
A while later.
"Alright, you can come over now," Tsukasa called out, placing a steaming stone pot on the table.
"Are we having hot pot today?" Rangiku arrived, looking expectant. Seeing the various side dishes prepared on the bamboo rack, she asked impatiently. As she spoke, she helped Toshiro set out the tableware.
"Yes, but the broth is a bit different from usual." Tsukasa kept them in suspense for a moment, then opened the lid of the stone pot, releasing a rich aroma of rice.
"This is... hot pot? Using white congee as a base?" When she saw the gently bubbling white congee and the array of side dishes on the table, Isane's eyes widened in surprise. She had never considered such a combination before.
"Yes, White Congee Hot Pot." Tsukasa served a bowl of supplemental congee from a nearby jar to everyone, placing it before them as he explained. "There's congee for drinking directly, and the way to eat it is simple—just like a regular hot pot. Put the ingredients you want in, and let them cook in the boiling congee. Once they're cooked, you can eat them directly or dip them in some soy sauce and ginger paste. The congee base will slowly absorb the essence of the various ingredients, giving it a completely different flavor by the end."
"That sounds very interesting." Isane looked at the smooth white congee base, feeling the thoughtfulness Tsukasa had put into it.
At that moment, Rangiku blinked and raised her hand. "Tsukasa, can we have some sake today?"
"Just a little," Tsukasa nodded with a hint of helpless amusement at her expectant look.
"Yay! You're the best!" Rangiku immediately beamed and made a victory sign before running to the kitchen. A moment later, she returned with a sake decanter and cups.
The four of them sat around the stone table. Then, at Rangiku's urging, the brilliant starry sky descended once again. The warm firelight illuminated their faces.
"So beautiful..." Looking at the stars above, Isane sighed in genuine admiration.
"The scenery is good, but the food shouldn't be missed either," Tsukasa replied with a smile. He picked up a pair of serving chopsticks, grabbed a thin slice of meat, and swirled it gently in the boiling congee. The meat quickly changed color and curled up. "Isane-san, try this. If you like it, eat your fill today." He placed the meat into the bowl in front of Isane and gestured for her to begin.
"Thank you." After thanking him, Isane tried dipping it in a bit of the soy sauce and ginger paste before putting it in her mouth. The meat was tender and springy with no greasiness at all—only the pure fragrance of the meat and the sweetness of the rice congee, followed by a hint of spice from the ginger.
"It's truly delicious." The texture was rich yet gentle, much more flavorful than she had anticipated. She offered a sincere evaluation, her eyes shining with surprise.
"Then eat more. Take whatever you like; it's more comfortable to do it yourself." Tsukasa handed her the serving chopsticks with warmth.
Looking at the smile on his face and the bamboo chopsticks in his hand, Isane told herself she shouldn't spoil the mood. Besides, a small lapse in discipline once in a while should be fine. With that thought, she no longer hesitated and took them from him.
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